Review: The Beatdown “s/t”
The Beatdown
“Self-titled”
Stomp Records, 2010
–Reviewed by Aaron Lakoff, host of Roots Rock Rebel on CKUT radio in Montreal
Right around the time when the Aggrolites began putting out music in the early 2000′s, skinhead reggae (or ‘dirty reggae’ as the Aggrolites would have it) was about as fresh as any genre revival could be. A handful of bands from southern California and Europe had taken early Jamaican reggae, and infused it with a splash of soul and punk sensibilities to create a sound which effectively brought back the spirit of ’69. I always have personally enjoyed skinhead reggae as it proved that reggae wasn’t some patchouli-drenched hippy phenomenon, and brought some soul and attitude into the music, not to mention stomping, and plenty of anti-fascist, anti-racist politics!
Now, ten years later, skinhead reggae may becoming another tired, cookie-cutter brand of music. While the phenomenon might be bigger in Europe (especially in countries like Spain and England), it has caught on in North and South America as well, and there are now hundreds, if not thousands of bands around the globe playing the beat. The formula has become a simple one: throw on some Fred Perry polos, take away the horns, add an organ, write a song or two about hooligans, rudeboys, and there you’ve got it. Ah yes, and cut your hair very short.
The first full-length album by the Beatdown from Montreal, Quebec, Canada offers a mix of old and new, fresh and used. While it sticks to many of the conventions of skinhead reggae, it is also tight, fun, and catchy.
The Beatdown emerged from Montreal’s newly crowned ska-kings One Night Band, after keyboardist Larry Love decided he wanted to take some time off from the band. Rather than throw in the towel, lead singer Alex Giguere decided to keep writing music, and quickly formed The Beatdown. The sound is very similar to ONB, except there is a bit less ska, a bit more soul, more guitars, and more punch. Ironically, Larry Love appears as a guest on most of the tracks on The Beatdown’s album. So the two bands blend into each other quite naturally – so much so that The Beatdown’s live repertoire will often include some ONB songs. Lead guitarist Jovanny Savoie’s gritty licks are a nice compliment to Giguere’s grainy vocals.
(L to R) Jovanny Savoie, Alex Giguère, Nicholas Fizzano, Pascal Lesieur - The Beatdown!
There are definitely a few covers on the album that ska and soul aficionados will appreciate, including “Get Ready” by the Smokey Robinson (check out the link for the video for the song below!), and “Justice” by Delroy Wilson. Another highlight on the album is the tune “Beatdown”, the band’s namesake which starts out as a northern soul stomper before going into a driving reggae beat. “One night” and “Tell me why” are great soulful trad-ska numbers. And there are of course a couple impressive instrumental tracks where the band experiments with drum reverb and some nice country-style guitar twang.
The songwriting on the album is a bit disappointing, as the songs don’t seem to mean much. But hey, who buys music for the lyrics these days anyways? I also really miss when ONB used to have songs in French, as it not only reflected their native tongue, but also a bit of Montreal pride. That local feel of the music seems to be lost now. However, what this album lacks in originality, it makes up in all around fun-ness.
So indeed, strap on a pair of gloves, get in the ring, and get ready for a beatdown with the latest in dirty reggae from Montreal!
Check out this link for the brand new video of the song “Get Ready” from the Beatdown:
(The Beatdown’s self-titled debut is available on iTunes, as well as through the Stomp Records website at www.stomprecords.com)
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just previewed/listened to The Beatdown “s/t” on itunes and am sold! gonna have to get this one!
ian